Speed-recorder.



G. A. LEE. SPEED RECORDER.

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SPEED RECORDER.

h I I l APPLICATION FILED APR.29,1908. 912,003, Patented Feb. 9, 1909.

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SPEED RECORDER.

APPLICATION FILED 9219.291909.

912,008. Patented Feb. 9, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3y E 1 v ATTORNEYS G. A. LEE. SPEED RECORDER. APPLICATION PILPD APR.29,1908;

W/T/VESSES UNITED STATS PATENT OFFlOE.

GEORGE A. LEE, OF lNEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO RECOMETRE COMPA NY OF AUERICA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YOl SPEED-RECORDER.

Patented Feb. 9, 1909.

Application filed April 29, 1908. Serial No. 429,840.

To'all 111710772y it may concern.'

Be it known that I, Gronau A. 'Li-in, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of' the city of New York, borough of \lanhat.

tan, in the county and State of New York,

Recorder, of which the following is a l'ull, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide l new and improved speed recorder, more especially designed for use ou vautomobiles and other vehicles, and arranged to graphically produce and display to thc occupant of the ometer, to render the device inactive while l the vehicle is at a standstill, and the means have invented a new and lmprovcd Spcedfor producing the said distance lines are controiled solely by the speedometer, which may be of any approved construction.

ln carrying out the invention in a practical manner, use is preferably made of a record f blank, chemically treated, to be atlectcd by vehicle, thespeed the vehicle is travelin r at thc.tinie, and to form a permanent record of the speed of the vehicle while thc latter is ruiming, the record showing the time, mileage and speed per hour. l

The invention consists of novel features and parts and ycombinations of the saaie,

which will be more fully described herein-- after and then pointed. out in the claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

provement; Fig'. 2 is a sectional front view of the same, on the line 2-2 of Fig. 5; Fig. 3

moved; Fig. 7 is a face view of the actuating' t cam of the distance indicator; Fig. S is a 'tance indicator and the time-painting dcvice; Fig.. 9 is a side elevation of the same, and Fig. l0 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the mechanism for imparting a t5 swinging motion to the time printing device.

.ln the speed recorder presently to be described in detail, use is made of a record blank, caused to travel only when the vehicle is running, and on this record blank are produced time lines, the time and distance lines, the latter extending across the time lines, to indicate the time, mileage andvspccd per electric printing devices.

In a suitably constructed casing A is mounted a speedometer or a speed indicator B of any approved construction, and driven by a ilexible shaft B, connected in the usual manner with a rotating part of the vehicle on l i i i which the speed recorder is used.

'casing A is also mounted a clockwork C,

In the lniving the usual hands C', C2 and a dial Ci for indicating the time of the day or night.

Through a glass cover A in the front of the casing A is visible a record in the form of a record blank D, preferably a strip of paper, and on which blank are marked spaced vertical minute lines D', the time DJ c andthe distance line D3, as indicated in l1 igure 1 1s a front elm/'ation of the imi Figs. 1 and 6. The record blank D travels only when the vehicle is running, and the paper of which the record blank is made is chemically prepared with a. solution of potassium bromid, to allow of marking the lines D and D3 electrically thereon by electric circuits and bycontact of the paper with a bar E, and a tracer or a stylus F, respectively. The time D2 is printed by the use of a typeprinting device G.

The record blank D unwinds troni a spool l y lil and winds up on a spool HJ, the spools 40 iront elevation of the record blank, thc disbeing ournaled in suitable bearings arranged on a. cross-plate A2 held within the casing A. rl`he bottom flange ll.2 of the winding-up spool H is in Contact with a disk I', secured on a shaft I, journaled in suitable bearings in the casing A, and on the said shaft I is coiled a spring l2 pressing on a gear wheel lf3,

mounted to slide on or to turn with the shaft shaft J 4 likewise extending transversely and j ournaled in suitable bearings in the casing A. On the front end of the shaft J4L is attached a pinion J 3 in mesh with a gear wheel J 3, meshing with an intermediate' gear-wheel J2l in mesh with a pinion J 3 mounted to rotate loosely on a sleeve C4 carrying the hour hand C2, the said pinion J 7 having a gear wheel J2 in mesh with a pinion J10 meshing with a gear wheel J, secured to the spindle C5 carrying the minute hand. C. Now when the clock C is running, the above-described gearing, consisting of the wheels J1?, J1", J3,

J8, J7, J3, J5, J3, J2 and J, is driven from the minute'arbor. C5 and when the ear wheel I3 is in mesh with the gear whee J, then the shaft I is rotated, and the rotary motion ofthe latter is transmitted by the flange H2 and the disk I to the spool H, to wind up thev record blank D onto the spoolvH and to unwind the same from the spool H.

When the vehicle is at a standstill, the gear wheel I3 is held out of mesh with the gear wheel J by a'restraining device controlled by the usual governor B2, held on the shaft B of the speedometer B, and when the vehicle is running the restrainin device mentioned allows the gear wheel 3 to be moved 1n mesh with the gear wheel J by the action-of the spring I2. The restraining device mentioned consists essentially of a shiftinglever K, connected at one end by a pin K"with an annular groove I4 on the hub ofY Vthe ear wheel I3, the other arm of the shifting ever K resting against one side of a wheel K2 connected by a linkK3 with the governor B2 of the speedometer B, so that when the vehicle is running, the governor B2 pulls by the link K3 on the wheelK2, thus drawing the latter away from the arm of the shiftin lever K and thereby allowing' the spring 2 to move the gear wheel I3 upward in mesh with thel gear wheel J. The wheel K2 is pressed on by a spring K4, so that when the governor B2 ceases to run, then the spring K*1 pushes the wheel K2 outward, thus actuating the shifting lever K, with a view tomove the ear wheel I3 out ofmesh with the gear whee J (see Fig. 2). From the foregoing, it will be seen that the record blank D is caused to travel by a driving gear driven bythe clock C, but the said blank D only travels when the vehicle is running and remains stationary during the time the vehicle is at a standstill, owing to the said driving gearing being thrown in and out of gear by the above-described shifting device actuated by the speedometer.

The record blank D after leaving the unwinding roller H asses towards the front of the casing A and between the bar E (see Figs; e and 5), and a presser arm E in the form of a spring, secured at one end to the plate A2 and having its free end AE2 curved' of a cam wheel E3, so that when the latter is rotated the arm E is periodically forced outward, to press the record blank D a ainst the sharp vertical edge of the metallic bar E, with a view to roduce a minute line D on the record blan D. The metallic bar E is preferably made`triangular and insulated on the plate A2, and the said bar E is connect-ed with one electrode of a battery, having its other electrode connected with the plate A2 (see Fig. 6), on which the shaft E4 of the cam wheel E3 is journaled. Now when the arm E is forced outward by the cam wheel E3 and resses the record blank D against, the bar E, then the circuit is closed, and the electric current in passing from the arm E by way of theprepared record blank D to the bar E, 'causes the latter to produce a minute line D on the record blank D, as plainly indicated in the drawings. The cam wheel E3 is drivenfrom the shaft I,` which latter-also drives the winding-'up spool H, and the arrangement is such that when the vehicle vis in use, a line D is produced at every vminute on the record blank, and as the latter is trav eling at the time, the lines D are spaced equidistant apart, as shown in the drawings.

In order to rotate the cam shaft E4L from the shaft 4I, the following arrangement is made: On the cam shaft E4 is secured a gear wheel L in mesh with' a pinion L attached to a vertical shaft L2 journaled in the plate A2, and on the said shaft L2 is secured a bevel gear wheel L3 in mesh with a bevel gear wheel L4 secured on a shaft L5, journaled in suitable bearings arranged on the under side of the plate A2. On the shaft vL5 is secured a bevel gear wheel L3 in mesh with a bevel gear wheel N attached to a shaft Nl journaled in the plate A2, and on the said shaft N is se,- cured a gear wheel N2 in mesh with a gear wheel N3 secured `on' the lower end of the shaft I. Thus when the latter is rotated, as above described, and at the time the gear wheel I3 is in mesh with the gear wheel J, then a rotaryV motion is Vtransmitted by the gear wheels N3, N, N and L3'to the shaft L3, which by the gear wheels L4, L3, shaft L2 and gear wheels'L and L rotates the cam shaft E4, to cause the cam wheel E3 to periodically actuate the spring arm E with a vview to press the record blank D against the sharp edge of the bar E. When this takes place the circuit is closed, as previously'mentioned', and a line is marked on the record blank, and this takes placeat every minute, so that the lines D are spaced apart. It is understood that when the gear wheel I3 is out of mesh tween thebar E and the spring arm E',

. D is on the flat face ofthe platen O it receives G4 and G are journaled in a swing frame G7,

passes around the flat` side vof a platen O, erected on the plate A2, and while the blank iiiipi'essions from the type G indicating| hours and arranged on an endless apron G2 passing over rollers G3, G4, G5 and G, as plainly indicated in Fig. 9. The rollers G2,

preferably made L-sliape, and carrying at its free end an inking roller G2 for inking the type G as the latter ass under the iiiking roller G2. The frame (17 is mounted toswing on a shaft G0 as a fulcruiii, and this shaft is journ'aled in suitable bearings arranged on the casing A. On the hub of the roller G5 is secured a gear Wheel P in mesh with agear wheel P attached to a shaft P2 joiirnaled in the plate A2 and carryinga gear wheel F2 in mesh with a gear wheel F4, secured on the lower endof a vertically-disposed shaft P5, journaled in suitable bearings within the casing A, as plainly indicated in Fig. 3. On the upper end of the shaft F5 is secured a bevel gear wheel FG in mesh 'with a bevel gear wheel P7, secured on the rear end of the shaft J* driven by the clock G, as previously ex plained so that a continuous rotary motion is given to the shafts 1" and P2 by the gearing above described, and the rotary motion ol the shaft F2 is transmitted by the gear wheels P and F to the roller G5, to cause the belt G2 to travel continually and in unison with the clock C. rlhe type G on the endless belt G2 is arranged to represent the hours and half-hours of a whole day, it being understood that an impression of one of the types G is made on the record blank D whenever thirty lines D have passed the flat surface of the platen O, so that the hours and halfhours of the day are printed on the record blank D at thecoriesponding lines D,and preferably at the upper end thereof.

In orner to impart the necessary swinging motion to the frame G7, to cause the corresponding type G to make the impression on the record blank D at the proper line D', the following arrangement is made: Gn the shaftA GJ is loosely mounted a sleeve Q having an arm Q carrying a pawl Q2 engaging a' ratchet wheel Q2, secured to the ltace of the gear wheel P employed for rotating` the roller G5, with a view to impart a traveling motion to the type belt G2, as previously explained. (ln the sleeve Q is secured or formed an arm Qt, adapted to drop into the notches of a toothed wheel secured on the lower end of the shaft l, so as to rotate with the shaft l when the latter is rotated, that is, wheneverY the vehicle is running and the gear wheel l is in mesh with the gear wheel J.' rlhe arm Q4 is pressed on by aspring Q6 to hold the arm Q in engagement with the wheel Q5. By the arrangement described the wheel Q5 periodically imparts a swinging motion to the l arm Q4 secured on the sleeve Q, to rock the 1 latter, which by the arm Q and the paWl Q2 causes a rocking motionof' the frame G7, by the action of the pawl Q2 engaging the ratchet wheel Q3. It is understood that the type .band G2 is tightly stretched over the Wheels G2, G4, G5 and G, so that the frame G7 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 9, and when the sleeve Q is rocked the wheel G5 is caused to turn in the reverse direction, andas the frame G7 is mounted with a running fit on the hub of the wheel G5, itis evident that the frame G7 is rocked to cause an impression of the corresponding type G on the record blank. From the foregoing it will besef-n that although the type belt G2 travels continually in unison with the clock C, no impressions by the type G of theI type belt G2 on the record blank D are made niilcss the vehicle isrunniiig, as only then a rocking motion is periodically giventev the frame G7, as abovevexplaiiied.

The record blank D after leaving` the platen O passes around a guide roller O', and then the record blank extends in the rear of the glass plate A from the roller G to and around a driven feed roller O2 journaled on the plate A2, the record-blank D then passing around an idler O2, to, finally pass to the winding-up spool H to be wound up thereon (see Fig. 5). The recordblank D is held in firm contact with the roller O2 by a roller O4 joiirnaled on an arm O5 mounted to swing on the plate A2, and pressed on by aspring O,

; to normally hold the roller O4 in firm contact with the record blank D opposite the roller O2. When it is desired to insert a new record blank, it is necessary to swing the arm O5 outward to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, to permit the operator to conveniently place the record blank around the roller O2, after which the arm@5 is returned to its normall pressing position. The roller O2 is driven fromthe gear wheel N2, and for this purpose the gear wheel N2 meshes with an intermediate gear wheel N4 in mesh with a gear wheel N5 secured o n the shaft of the roller O2. Thus when the vehicle is running and the shaft l is driven, a rotary motion is givento the roller O2 by the gear wheels N2, N2, N4, N2 to assist in pulling` the record blank along, and to finally wind the same oiithe winding-up spool H.

. The record blank D in passing from the roller Olto the driven roller Q2 passes over a platen O7 iixed on the plate A2, and in front of thisplaten O7 and in front of the record y blank D operates the tracer or stylus F,

`mounted to turn on a rod F and pressed on llO on the plate A2, ,and the lower 'end of the vdown.

with the prepared record paper, and the rod F is pivotally connected with an arm F3, attached to a shaft F2. extending trans versely, and journaled in bearings held on insulating brackets A5 attached to the plate A2. A spring F3 presses the arm F3, to swing the arm F3 in an upward direction. On the shaft F3 is secured an arm F 3, earrying a friction roller F7 in contact with the peripheral face of a cam F2, secured on a shaft R, journaled in suitable bearings arranged in the lower rear portion of the casing A, as plainly shown in Figs. 5 and 6. On the shaft R is secured a worm wheel R in mesh with a worm R2, attached to a transverse shaft R3 journaled in the casing A and carrying at its front end a worm wheel R4 in mesh with a worm R5 secured on the shaft B of the speedometer B, so that when the vehicle is running a rotary motion is transmitted by the shaft B to the shafts R3 and R, to'cause the-cam F2 to impart a swinging motion to the arm F3, with a view to rock the shaft Fand to cause the arm F3 to move the rod F and the tracer F up and Now as the tracer F is in contact tracer Fis electrically connected with one pole of the battery, as'indicated in Fig. 6,

and the platen O4 is attached to theplate A2.

connected with the other pole of the battery, it is evident that an electrical current passes from the platen O4 by way of theA record blank D to the stylus F, so that the distance line D3 is produced on the face of the record blank across the minute lines D. It is understood that if the vehicle travels slowly the tracer F iscorrespondingly moved up and down on the record blank D, and when the vehicle travels fast, the tracer F moves up and down oftener in a given time. Thus the distance line D3 traced acrossthe minute lines D on the traveling record blank D graphically indicates the mileage and speed per hour at the time the vehicle is running. In order,I to insure the formation of distinct minute lines D', the record blank D is preferably moistened at the back by a sponge S arranged adjacent to the roller O.

The operation is as follows: When the vehicle is at a standstill the speedometer B, the means for imparting a traveling motion to the record blank'D and the printing devices for producing the lines D and D3 and the time D2 are inactive, although the clock C is runningl and the type belt G2 is traveling in unison with the clock. When the vehicle is running therotary motion of the iieXible shaft B causes the centrifugal governor B2 Ito straighten out, so that the centrifugal governor B2 vdrives the wheel K2 from the left to the right, to allow the spring I2 to vmove the gear wheel I3 in mesh with the gear wheel J. /When this takes place the shaft I is rotated from the gearing connectedwith the clock C, to cause the record blank D to travel, that is, to unwind from the spool H and to wind up on the'spool H. The record blank D as it passes between the bar E and the spring arm E is periodically pressed by the spring arm against the bar E, to receive the minute lines D as previously explained, and the time D2 is printed onthe upper-ends of the said line by the types G held on the endless apron G2 mounted on the lever G7 periodically actuated by the mechanism previously described. The distance line D3 is produced on the record blank D by the stylus F, continually moved up and down by the mechanism connected with the speedometer, it being understood that one stroke of the tracer F represents one-half mile of travel of the automobile, and consequently if the automobile is going at sixty miles an hour the tracer F travels up and down between two adjacent minute lines D', and if one stroke extends from one Aminute line to the other, the automobile is going at thirty miles an hour, and so on; the line D3 with the lines D thus graphically representing the mileage as well as the speed per hour. In addition, the time D2'printed on the record blank, tells exactly at whatspeed the automobile was traveling at any given hour. When the automobile comes to a standstill the centrifugal governor' B2 allows the wheel K2 to return, and in doing so, thewheel K2 acts on the lever K, which moves the 'gear wheel I3 out of mesh with the gear wheel J. When'this takes place the record blank D and the tracer F cease to travel and the rock frame G7 comes to a standstill.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a speed recorder for vehicles, in combination, a clock mechanism, a speedometer driven by the vehicle, a time recorder driven by the clock mechanism and controlled .by'the said speedometer, a distance indicator driven by the said speedometer, and a record blank on which mark both the time recorder and the distance indicator.

2. In a speed recorder, the combination with a clock movement and a speedometer, of a record blank, means operated b the clock movement for moving the blan renlOrding mechanism operated by the speedometer, and means in connection with the speedometer for -disconnecting the v clock movement from the record blank moving means when the speedometer is idle.

3. InA a speed recorder, the combination with a clock movement and a speedometer,

of a record blank, means operated by the clock movement for moving the blank, means for periodically marking spaced time lines', on the record blank, means for marking the distance traveled on the record blank, means whereby the speedometer will operate both of said last named means, and means in connection with the speedometer for disconnecting `the clock movement from the record blank moving means, when the speedometer is idle. y

4. A speed recorder, provided with supporting means 'for carrying a record blank, a clock-driven mechanism for imparting motion to the said supporting means, to cause the record blank to travel, a line-marking device for marking spaced minute lines on the record blanky and controlled by the said clock-driven mechanism, a time-marking device controlled by the said clock-driven mechanism for marking the time on the record blank, a speedometer forl throwing the said clock-driveii mechanism into or out of geai', and a distance-markiiig device controlled by the said speedometer for marking a distance-indicatimT lline on the said record blank across the said minute lines.

.5.- A speed recorder, provided With a speedometer, a clock-driven gearing, a shifting mechanism controlled by the said speedometer for throwing the said gearing into or out of action, a supporting means for a record blank and driven from the said gearing, and an electric printing device controlled by the said gearing 'for producing marks on the said record blank.

6.A speed recorder, provided with a speedometer, a clock-driven gearing, a shifting mechanism controlled by the said spoedome'ter for throwing the said gearing into or out of action, a supporting means for a record blank and driven from the said. gearing, and an electric printing device con- .trolled by the said. gearing for producing minute lines on the said record blank transverse to the travel ofthe record blank.

7. A speed recorder, -provided with a speedometer, `a clock-driven gearing having a shifting mechanism controlled bythe said speedometer for throwing the-said gearing into or out of action, a supporting means for a record blank and driven from the said gearing, an electric printing device controlled by the said gearing for producing minute lines on the said record blank transverse to the travel of the record blank, and a second electric printing device controlled by the said gearing for producing a distance line on the said record -blank across the said minute lines.

8. A speed recorder provided With a clockdriven mechanism, a record blank su porting mechanism driven from the sai driven mechanism, Aa fixed contact bar for the record blank to be pressed against, and means controlled by the said clock-driven mechanism 'for pressing the record blank periodically in contact with the saidy bar.'

9. A speed recorder provided With a clockdriven mechanism, a record blank supporting mechanism driven from the said driven mechanism, a fixed contact bar for the record blank to be pressed against, means controlled by the said clock-driven mechanism for pressing the record blank periodically in contact with the said bar, the said means comprising a ratchet Wheel drivcnby the -sa'id clock-driven mechanism, and a spring arm in contact with the ratchet wheel and adapted to engage the record blank opposite the said contact bar, to press the record blank against the bar.

10. 1n a speed recorder, the combination, of a speedometer, a chemically-prepared record blank, a supporting and driving device for the record blank, a clock-driven mechanism for driving tliesaid blank supporting device, a shifting mechanism controlled by the said speedometer for throwing the said clockdriven mechanism in or out of gear, an electric minute-line printing device actuated from the said clock-driven mechanism, for periodically producing minute lines on the lsaid record blank, an electric tracing device controlled by the speedometer for tracing a distance line on the said record blank, and a time printing device controlled by the sai.` clock-driven mechanism 'for printing the time on the said record blank.

11. A speed recorder for vehicles, provided vwith a traveling and chemically-pre ared record blank, an electric line printing c evice for producing minute lines on the said record blank, 'an electric tracing device for tracing a distance line on the said record blank across the minute lines, and an ink time-printing device for printing thetime on the said record, blank at the said minute lines. y

1 2. A speed recorder provided with a clockdriven mechanism, supporting means for a record blank and driven from the said clockdriven mechanism, and a time-printing device for printing the time on the said record blank, and having a rock frame controlled periodically from the clock-driven mechanism, a typecarfying apron mounted to travel on the said rock frame, and means for continually driving the said apron from the said clock-driven mechanism.

13. In a speed recorder, the combination with a clock movement and a speedometer, ofv a record blank, means operated by the clock movement for moving the blank, a fixed platen over which the blank moves, a time printing device opposite the platen and operated by the clock movement to print the time upon the record blank, recording mechanism rdriven by the speedometer, and means in connection with the speedometer for disconnecting theclock movement from the record moving means when the speedometer is idle.

, le. 1n a speed recorder,'tlie combination with a clock movement, and a'speedometer, of a record blank, means operated by the clock movement `for moving the blank, a

-xed platen over which the blank moves, a In testimon;T Whereor` I have signed my tracer opposite vthe platen, a speedometer i name to this specication in the presence o'l y controlling the tracer, an electric circuit contWo subscribing Witnesses.

nected With the xed platen and .the tracer, GEORGE A. LEE.

5 and means for disconnecting the clock Inovel Witnesses: 4

ment from the recordmovingmeans when the i THEO. G. HOSTEB, speedometer is idle. E JOHN P. DAVIS. 

